Page 6 - Animals Asia Review 2015

End Bear Bile Farming

Paradise regained

Thanks to your support, one of the world’s most idyllic
scenic spots is no longer home to Vietnam’s very worst

bear farms.

Last year, Halong Bay – and the entire province of Quang Ninh –

closed the last of its bile farms and oficially became bear farm
free. The remaining bears were transferred into our care.

It was a Herculean effort in every way – 33 bears rescued over ‘Most of the bears rescued in 2015 were
six months from all over the province and 18 bile “farms” closed
forever. Some were larger facilities, while others were private housed in small, barren cages and their

households, government holding facilities and workplaces. diet was very poor. All this leaves a huge
When the last of these bears arrived in October there was only
one name waiting for him – Hercules!
mark, physically and psychologically. But
the difference in these bears after just a

Last year too, the Vietnamese Traditional Medicine Association ’few months with us is truly inspiring.
ordered its members to end the use of bear bile by 2020.
This is a monumental step and shows what can be achieved

with patience, determination and most of all, the support of Annemarie Weegenaar BSc
committed people like you around the globe.
Bear and Vet Team Director, Vietnam sanctuary

‘
If we can end bear bile farming in

Halong Bay, we can end it throughout

Vietnam. We owe it to bears like

Sam and Simon, who spent years in

these cages. Sam (on the left) is now

recovering at our sanctuary, but sadly

we lost Simon just months after they

’
were rescued. RIP brave Simon.

Dr Tuan Bendixsen

Vietnam Director

6 Animals Asia Review 2015